Brough under cloud

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HIGH-PROFILE Sunshine Coast LNP supporter Mal Brough is facing a race against time to clear his name over deals involving the Sunshine Coast mayoral race.

The Daily has learnt that unless Mr Brough is cleared by a Queensland Police investigation, he will not be considered for pre-selection for the safe Coast seat of Fisher held by independent Peter Slipper.

Mr Brough has been accused by Coast mayoral hopeful and LNP member Michael Bloyce of being involved in attempts to bribe Mr Bloyce to stand aside from the mayoral race.

Mr Brough has denied the allegations.

LNP president Bruce McIvor made clear yesterday that anyone with pending issues - legal, health or any other matter - would need to wait for their resolution before they would be passed through the party's candidate review.

Mr Brough, a former Howard government minister who lost the seat of Longman in 2007, said he had been in contact with the CMC and Queensland Police on several occasions, but still had no understanding about how long the investigation would take.

The CMC has referred to the Commissioner of Police allegations Mr Brough attempted to induce Mr Bloyce to withdraw from the mayoral race in return for support from the Mark Jamieson campaign as a divisional councillor candidate.

Police also are investigating allegations that someone offered Brett Winkler's team $5000 to change his how-to-vote cards to include new Mayor Mark Jamieson.

Mr McIvor said the LNP had received more than 60 written submissions for 10 seats including Fisher where it had called for expressions of interest from potential candidates. Those expressions of interest closed on April 30.

"We want to be ready if a snap poll is called for any reason," he said.